Moreover, several other studies have highlighted executive function and verbal memory abnormalities as candidate endophenotypes of BD following reported deficits in these domains in first-degree relatives of BD patients (Arts et al. 2008; Bora et al. 2009; Doyle et al. 2009).
The major treatment for this disease is based on a galactose/lactose-restricted diet, but even well-treated patients can develop other symptoms such as mental retardation, verbal dyspraxia, motor abnormalities and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (Bosch, 2006; Fridovich-Keil and Walter, 2008).
This profile has led to direct comparisons with children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI), who show deficiencies in language development that cannot be explained by low non-verbal cognitive ability, abnormalities in sensory abilities or other neurological or psychiatric conditions (Bol and Kuiken, 1990; Eadie et al., 2002; Laws and Bishop, 2003).
These symptoms do not include behavioural abnormalities or verbal impairments that can be assessed objectively by clinicians.
Autism is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, abnormalities in verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted, stereotyped interests and behaviors (American Psychiatric Association 1994).
In 1943, Kanner [ 5] described autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder with impairments in social interactions, restricted stereotyped interests, and abnormalities in verbal and nonverbal behavior.
Autistic disorder (AD) is a serious developmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction, abnormalities in verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted stereotyped behaviors thought to be attributable to insults to the developing fetal and/or infant brain (American Psychiatric Association 2000; Geschwind and Levitt 2007).
All tested patients had clear consciousness, no psychological abnormalities, and good verbal and written communication abilities.
We also hypothesize that over-activation of semantic/syntactic processing systems within temporal and IP regions could lead to thought disorder and abnormal functioning of the IP verbal memory system could contribute to short term (working) memory abnormalities (Lee and Park 2005).
However, even when correctly treated with a galactose-restricted diet, a considerable number of patients develop long-term symptoms such as premature ovarian failure, verbal and cognitive developmental problems and motor abnormalities.
